Measured liquid dispenser

ABSTRACT

A measured liquid dispenser includes a bottle and a measuring tube. The tube is configured to be received within the bottle to draw liquid from the bottle. The tube includes a bulb that doubles as a stopper to seal the bottle and allow the tube to be stored within the bottle. Markings on the bottle and the tube facilitate drawing measured amounts from the bottle.

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This invention claims priority from provisional patent application No. 60/334,359, filed Nov. 29, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to food preparation aids, particularly including measuring devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Measuring dry and liquid ingredients is a common and frequent task during meal preparation, especially among cooks following recipes or dietary restrictions. The need for measuring cooking oil and other liquids usually requires the use of measuring cups or spoons because bottles are not designed to dispense measured amounts. When using measuring spoons with liquids such as oil it is necessary to wash the spoons with soap and water and to dry them before using the spoons for dry ingredients. This requires time and effort.

[0004] Another problem in dispensing liquids is that bottles containing oil, vinegar, or other liquid cooking ingredients are typically not equipped with no-drip spouts. Pouring the liquid into a measuring cup or spoon often results in liquid running down the side of the bottle or dripping onto the counter and making a mess.

[0005] The use of measuring cups or spoons to measure liquids requires two hands, one hand to hold the spoon and one hand to pour the liquid out of the bottle. It is often difficult to hold the spoon steady and to fill it all the way without spilling. This problem is compounded when the bottle is large and full. For example, a one-gallon oil bottle can be difficult to maneuver and pour. Because of the size and weight, some cooks may also have difficulty lifting the container with one hand at all, making it even more troublesome to pour a measured amount.

[0006] Some existing oil cans provide measurements printed on the outside. While such measurements can be marginally useful in informing the user regarding the amount of liquid that is left in the container, they are useless as a tool to pour a measured amount for cooking.

[0007] Another type of oil dispenser is designed to be pressurized and to spray a fine oil mist. Such products are intended for uses such as providing a thin coating of oil onto a pan for cooking. While useful once the spray container is filled and pressurized, these products often do not save time overall because the process of pressurizing requires a substantial effort. Moreover, the amount of fluid dispensed when spraying the oil cannot be measured.

[0008] Consequently, there is a need for an improved liquid dispenser that addresses some of the above problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the measured liquid dispenser is illustrated in FIG. 1. The measured liquid dispenser 10 includes a container or bottle 20, measuring tube 30, and bulb 40. The measuring tube 30, best seen in FIG. 2, is sized and shaped such that it may be inserted into the bottle 20 to withdraw liquid. It is also intended to be maintained within the bottle 20 for storage, so that the measuring tube 30 is always conveniently available for measuring and dispensing liquids. The juncture between the tube 30 and bulb 40 define a stopper 50 that seats within the neck 60 of the bottle 20 to seal the bottle when not in use.

[0011] The bottle 20 is preferably made from clear acrylic, although any materials that may be used for holding liquids are suitable. Glass, plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel are examples of other materials that may be used for the bottle. Ideally, however, the bottle material is transparent so that the amount of liquid remaining in the bottle is readily visible.

[0012] In an actual embodiment, the bottle has a capacity of 1.5 cups. No particular minimum or maximum volume is required, consistent with this invention. On the contrary, by including the measuring tube 30 with the bottle 20, the bottle can be quite large and still allow easy fluid dispensing because the size of the tube is smaller than the bottle and therefore more manageable.

[0013] The bottle includes a “Maximum Fill Line” indicator 90 printed on the body of the bottle near the neck 60. The maximum fill indicator 90 indicates the level to which the bottle may be filled and the tube inserted without overflowing the bottle. Accordingly, the volume of the bottle from the maximum fill indicator 90 to the base of the stopper 50 when it is inserted within the neck 60 is approximately greater than or equal to the volume displaced by the tube 30. If the bottle is filled above the fill line, the liquid will overflow after inserting the measuring tube, due to displacement of the liquid. The maximum fill indicator can be imprinted, etched, molded, or formed on the bottle in any other manner that produces a visible indicator.

[0014] The bottle also includes a mouth that preferably defines a pouring spout 70. The spout 70 allows liquid to be poured from the bottle (rather than dispensed with the measuring tube) with fewer drips or spills than would likely occur with an ordinary round bottle mouth. The mouth of the bottle is also flared outwardly to catch drips when the tube is returned to the bottle as well as providing a funnel shape to make refilling the bottle easy. In addition, the bottle is wider at the base than at the neck, to provide a more stable platform and larger volume.

[0015] The measuring tube 30 is also made from clear acrylic. As with the bottle, it may alternatively be constructed from other materials, such as glass or plastic, that are suitable for dispensing oil or other liquids. In an actual embodiment of the invention in which the bottle has a 1.5 cup capacity, the measuring tube 30 has a 1.5 tablespoon capacity. Any other size combinations are possible. A useful alternative embodiment incorporates a measuring tube having a one-cup capacity.

[0016] The tube includes measurement markings 80, preferably in the form of lines printed on the tube to allow small volumes such as {fraction (1/2)} teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1½ teaspoon, etc., to be dispensed. If larger bottles are used, a larger measuring tube and markings with larger measurement quantities are provided.

[0017] A flexible bulb 40 is attached to the top end of the tube 30. In the preferred embodiment, the bulb is constructed of silicone so that it is highly resilient and suitable for drawing cooking oils and other food ingredients into the tube. The flexible silicone bulb 40 fits tightly over the end of the measuring tube 30 to provide a substantially airtight seal.

[0018] As best seen in FIG. 3, the top end 36 of the measuring tube 30 includes an exterior annular seat 32 that engages the mouth of the bulb to ensure that the bulb is not pushed too far down the tube. In addition, the tube includes an annular rib 34 that is configured to be received within a corresponding annular slot 42 (see FIG. 4) within the interior of the bulb to further prevent the bulb from sliding off of the tube. This construction also allows the bulb to be removed for cleaning. At the bottom end of the tube 38, the opening is narrowed substantially to allow liquid to be dispensed a drop at a time.

[0019] The base of the bulb 50 overlapping the measuring tube has a conical shape that generally matches the interior shape of the bottleneck 60. Accordingly, the base of the silicone bulb seals the measuring tube and doubles as bottle stopper when the invention is not in use. Alternately, the bottle can be sealed in other ways. For example, the bulb and bottle can be threaded, rather than friction-fit. Likewise, threads can be provided on the tube for sealing engagement with corresponding threads on the bottle. Still other sealing devices are possible that allow the tube to be stored within the bottle.

[0020] In order to use the measured liquid dispenser, the bottle is first filled up to or slightly below the maximum fill line. If the bottle is filled fully up to the maximum fill indicator, the bulb should be squeezed and then inserted into the bottle and submerged into the liquid. If the liquid is substantially below the maximum fill volume, the bulb may be squeezed after insertion into the bottle.

[0021] After the bulb is squeezed and the tube inserted, the bulb is released to allow liquid to be drawn into the tube. Once the proper volume is drawn into the tube, the tube is removed from the liquid and the bulb is released to equalize the pressure. The tube then contains the desired volume of liquid that can be dispensed into a bowl, pan, or other container as desired.

[0022] The measured liquid container provides a number of advantages over the prior art. It allows accurate liquid volumes to be dispensed without using measuring spoons. In an alternate embodiment, however, the tube does not contain volume markings. In such an embodiment, measuring spoons or cups may still be required. Even in such an alternate embodiment, however, it is much easier to dispense liquid from the bottle because there is no need to lift and pour a heavy bottle while holding a measuring spoon or cup.

[0023] Because of the handy measuring tube and pour spout, the invention allows for faster and more efficient liquid dispensing while reducing mess and clean-up time. Depending on the size of the bottle used, it also allows users to purchase the liquid in bulk and to transfer a manageable amount to the smaller bottle that can be refilled as necessary.

[0024] In alternate embodiments of the invention, static-cling labels are included to mark the contents of bottle. Users may write “oil,” “vinegar,” or some other indicator of the contents on the label and removably apply it to the bottle.

[0025] In yet another embodiment, the measured liquid dispenser also includes a brush sized and shaped to facilitate cleaning of the inside of the bottle and the tube.

[0026] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. 

I claim:
 1. A liquid dispenser, comprising: a container having a base, a body, and a neck; and a tube having an opening at a first end and a resilient bulb attached at a second end; wherein when the tube is inserted into the bottle a seal is formed at the neck of the bottle.
 2. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the bulb further comprises a bulb base overlapping the second end of the tube, the bulb base having an exterior surface that is tapered radially outwardly in a direction from the first end of the tube toward the second end of the tube, and further wherein the seal is formed by contact between the tapered exterior surface and an internal surface of the neck.
 3. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the bulb is constructed from silicone.
 4. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the bulb further comprises an internal annular slot and the tube further comprises an external seat and annular rib, wherein the slot and the rib are engaged.
 5. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container and tube are formed from clear acrylic material.
 6. The liquid dispenser of claim 5, wherein the tube further comprises fill indicators.
 7. The liquid dispenser of claim 5, wherein the container further comprises a maximum fill indicator.
 8. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a spout.
 9. The liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a removably attachable label.
 10. A liquid dispenser, comprising a container for holding the liquid; and a means for drawing liquid from the container; wherein the means for drawing liquid is removably attached to the container to form a sealing engagement with the container.
 11. The liquid dispenser of claim 10, wherein the means for drawing liquid comprises a bulb having a bulb base attached to a tube, the bulb base having a tapered exterior surface, and further wherein the sealing engagement is formed by contact between the tapered exterior surface and the container.
 12. The liquid dispenser of claim 11, wherein the bulb is constructed from silicone.
 13. The liquid dispenser of claim 11, wherein the bulb further comprises an internal annular slot and the tube further comprises an external seat and annular rib, wherein the slot and the rib are engaged.
 14. The liquid dispenser of claim 11, wherein the container and tube are formed from clear acrylic material.
 15. The liquid dispenser of claim 14, wherein the tube further comprises fill indicators.
 16. The liquid dispenser of claim 14, wherein the container further comprises a maximum fill indicator.
 17. The liquid dispenser of claim 10, wherein the container further comprises a spout.
 18. The liquid dispenser of claim 10, wherein the container further comprises a removably attachable label. 